My first attempt at fishing for this year was about 3 weeks ago. Found out I had a motor issue when I was launching, so turned right back and been waiting for the shop to call. Got the word everything was fixed. Of course, warranty ran out last Aug but whatever.

It was pretty breezy and choppy on the water. Even launching off the trailer was a doozy. The breeze was blowing towards the ramp, so even though the boat was pushed towards the dock, it started heading towards the trailer quickly. When I got onto the dock to grab the line, the boat was getting really close to the trailer. So when I pulled on the line, it spun the boat 180 degrees than I intended. Sucks bc the bumpers are on the wrong side! Oh well, will make blasting off easier I guess. Start motor up and everything sounds perfect like before. Woot!

I figure I'll go somewhere north and fish my way down with the wind. Started off with the jerkbait and got tired of that after about 45 mins with no action. Out of shape from hibernation. There was a little bit of cover that didnt blow too much and I mixed in the dropshot too. Grabbed the trusty swimbait and within minutes, got a swipe but missed. That was my first clue. Continued onwards and get a good hookset. Ripping drag. Doggo is excited. 2.97# SMB! Nice first fish of the year.

Caught 7 or was it 8 SMB. The biggest of the day was the 1st one but all the others were in the 2# range. 1 was maybe just slightly under. So a decent average. All caught on swimbait and in very shallow water.

I'm a bit bummed though bc I didnt get 1 but the first 4 new deep gouges on my boat today. I got too close to a piling and with the wind, I wasnt able to clear it completely before it bumped the back of the boat. Of course was there this metal plate mounted on it and you can see how it skipped on my gunnel.

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